A hidden gem off the coast of Los Angeles (Catalina Island)

Member Name: bucksfizz66

Product:	Catalina Island
Date:	10/06/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful, a wonderful place to visit

Disadvantages: I was only there for the day

I visited Catalina Island in 2002 whilst on holiday in Los Angeles, the island is one of a series of channel islands in this area. I travelled to the island the the catalina express, a boat service operating from Long Beach right by the Queen Mary (thats a big liner permanently docked there as an attraction and hotel). The journey time was about an hour and went into the port of Avalon. There is another port Two harbors - I cannot comment on this as never visited. You can fly (on a small plane) and it lands on what the locals call the airport in the sky as it is at the top of the island and very small and feels like landing on a pin (not for me I'm afraid).

For day vistors to the island there are probably three main things to consider seeing the Casino and Theatre, the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens, and the Interior.

The island used to be owned by William Wrigley Junior hence the memorial above, he also owened the casino and theatre. The use of the word casino though does not mean gambling as he was strictly opposed to this and smoking and drinking, it refers to entertainment so the casino has a cinema on the ground floor all beautifully painted and with natural accoustics and a ballroom directly above again beautifully painted ( I should say the original paint - as smoking and drinking incidently were banned here). A magnificent place with spectacular bay views - put this at the top of your list.

Catalina itself is famous for its painted tiles and as you wander back through the town you see these are inlaid in walls everywhere - gorgeous. Cars are strictly limited on the island and there is about a 10 years waiting list for locals, so to combat this they drive around in golf buggies. Until I visited here I had never seen a child car seat strapped into a golf buggy. The pace of life is idyllic, the port of Avalon truly beautiful.

Beyond this small town are the memorial and botanical gardens immaculately laid out as you would expect and surprisingly can take you to an even slower pace.

The interior of the island is protected and driving strictly limited therefore to see this arrange to go on one of the tours that can be arranged at the harbour, it is well worth it to establish the true extent of this magnicicent island and to see there wild buffalo (not native - but bought here for a film then left). This tour should also take you to see the airport in the sky.

The island is very popular with mainland residents on bank holidays - so try not to visit at these times, beyond that no trip to this area is complete without going here - everyone does the tour of the stars homes - be original and go here.

Summary: Go here instead - everyone does the tour of the stars homes